Multiple dome single-panel explosion vent

Abstract

An explosion vent (10) for covering an opening (12) in an enclosure (14) subject to the build-up of pressure is disclosed. The explosion vent includes a peripheral flange (16) configured for attachment to the enclosure around the opening, a pressure relief panel (18) positioned within and hingedly connected to the flange, and a plurality of connectors or rupture tab assemblies (19) connecting the unhinged portion of the pressure relief panel to the flange. The connectors break when the enclosure is subjected to pressure build-up for permitting the panel to shift outwardly from the enclosure for uncovering the opening in the enclosure. Rivets (72) are provided for attaching the rupture tab assemblies (19) to the pressure relief panel (18) which function to provide additional panel support and minimize localized bending of the rupture tabs (21) forming a part of assemblies (19) when the explosion vent is subjected to vacuum conditions, but do not interfere with rupture of the tabs and opening of the panel at a relatively low burst pressure. The pressure relief panel has a plurality of domed sections (46,48,50,52) presenting at least one valley defining bridge (54,56,58) therebetween. The domed sections and bridges cooperate to stiffen the panel so that it more uniformly distributes force on the connectors, causing all of the connectors to break at approximately the same time so that the panel more consistently opens at a selected burst pressure level.

We claim: 
     
       1. An explosion vent for covering an opening in an enclosure, said explosion vent comprising: a peripheral flange configured for attachment to the enclosure around the opening;   a pressure relief panel positioned within and hingedly connected to said flange for covering and substantially sealing the opening when the enclosure is subjected to normal operating pressures and for shifting outwardly from the enclosure for at least partially uncovering the opening when the enclosure is subjected to a build-up of pressure of a pre-determined magnitude; and   a plurality of connectors for connecting said panel to said flange and configured for breaking when the enclosure is subjected to the pre-determined magnitude of pressure build-up for permitting said panel to shift outwardly from the enclosure for uncovering the opening in the enclosure;   said pressure relief panel having a plurality of domed sections defining at least one bridge therebetween for stiffening said panel for more uniformly distributing force on said connectors when the enclosure is subjected to the pre-determined magnitude of pressure build-up.   
     
     
       2. The explosion vent as set forth in claim 1, wherein said peripheral flange and said pressure relief panel are integrally formed from a single sheet of metal and partially separated by at least one slit defining a hinge between said panel and said flange for hingedly connecting said panel to said flange. 
     
     
       3. The explosion vent as set forth in claim 2, wherein said bridge extends generally perpendicularly to said hinge. 
     
     
       4. The explosion vent as set forth in claim 2, wherein said connectors consist of unslit portions of said single sheet of metal that define filaments connecting said peripheral flange to said pressure relief panel. 
     
     
       5. The explosion vent as set forth in claim 2, wherein said connectors consist of rupture tabs configured for attachment to said panel over said slit. 
     
     
       6. The explosion vent as set forth in claim 5, said pressure relief panel having an interior face in communication with the interior of the enclosure and an exterior face in communication with the exterior of the enclosure, wherein said rupture tabs are configured for attachment over said slit along the exterior face of said panel. 
     
     
       7. The explosion vent as set forth in claim 2, further including a plurality of vacuum pressure supports positioned over said slit for preventing the panel from shifting inwardly into the enclosure when the enclosure is subjected to a vacuum pressure. 
     
     
       8. The explosion vent as set forth in claim 5, said vacuum pressure supports comprising a plurality of rivets inserted through said panel and positioned over said slit for preventing the panel from shifting inwardly into the enclosure when the enclosure is subjected to a vacuum and for reducing localized bending of the rupture tab. 
     
     
       9. The explosion vent as set forth in claim 8, wherein said rivets attach said rupture tabs to said panel and said flange. 
     
     
       10. The explosion vent as set forth in claim 2, wherein each of said connectors includes a rupture tab having a main body portion, a secondary body portion spaced therefrom, and a filament portion joining the main body portion to the secondary body portion, said main body portion being secured to the panel in bridging relationship to said slit, and said secondary body portion being secured to the panel in spaced relationship from the slit, said filament portion being configured in the range to break upon bursting of the vent causing the pressure panel portion thereof to shift outwardly from the enclosure for uncovering the opening and enclosure. 
     
     
       11. The explosion vent as set forth in claim 10, said explosion vent being provided with a support tab in overlying relationship to the main body portion and the filament portion of each rupture tab for reinforcing the filament portion against localized bending and stress forces during pressure cycling of the explosion vent. 
     
     
       12. The explosion vent as set forth in claim 1, said pressure relief panel being of generally circular configuration, with said bridge extending generally perpendicular to a hinge between said pressure relief panel and said peripheral flange. 
     
     
       13. An explosion vent for covering an opening in an enclosure for venting pressure build-up within the enclosure, said explosion vent comprising: a sheet of metal having at least one slit therein that defines a peripheral flange configured for attachment to the enclosure around the opening,   a pressure relief panel positioned within the flange for covering and substantially sealing the opening when the enclosure is subjected to normal operating pressures and for shifting away from the opening for exposing the opening when the enclosure is subjected to a build-up of pressure of a pre-determined magnitude; and   a hinge for hingedly connecting said panel to said flange;     a plurality of connectors for connecting said panel to said flange and configured for breaking when the enclosure is subjected to the pre-determined magnitude of pressure build-up;   said pressure relief panel having a plurality of domed sections defining at least one bridge therebetween for stiffening said panel for more uniformly breaking said connectors when the enclosure is subjected to the predetermined magnitude of pressure build-up; and   a plurality of vacuum pressure supports positioned over said slit for preventing the panel from shifting inwardly into the enclosure when the enclosure is subjected to a vacuum pressure.   
     
     
       14. The explosion vent as set forth in claim 13, wherein said bridge extends generally perpendicularly to said hinge. 
     
     
       15. The explosion vent as set forth in claim 13, wherein said connectors consist of unslit portions of said single sheet of metal that define filaments connecting said peripheral flange to said pressure relief panel. 
     
     
       16. The explosion vent as set forth in claim 13, wherein said connectors consist of rupture tabs configured for attachment to said panel over said slit. 
     
     
       17. The explosion vent as set forth in claim 13, said vacuum pressure supports comprising a plurality of rivets inserted through said panel and positioned over said slit for preventing the panel from shifting inwardly into the enclosure when the enclosure is subjected to a vacuum pressure. 
     
     
       18. The explosion vent as set forth in claim 17, said pressure relief panel having an interior face in communication with the interior of the enclosure, wherein said rivets each include a rivet head, wherein said rivets are inserted through said panel so that said rivet heads are positioned on the interior face of the panel. 
     
     
       19. The explosion vent as set forth in claim 17, said pressure relief panel having an interior face in communication with the interior of the enclosure, wherein said rivets each include a rivet head, wherein said rivets are inserted through said panel so that said rivet heads are positioned on an exterior face of the panel. 
     
     
       20. The explosion vent as set forth in claim 19, wherein said rivets attach said connectors to said panel and said flange. 
     
     
       21. The explosion vent as set forth in claim 13, said pressure relief panel having four domed sections separated by three bridges. 
     
     
       22. The explosion vent as set forth in claim 13, said pressure relief panel being of generally circular configuration, with said bridge extending generally perpendicular to said hinge. 
     
     
       23. A rupture tab assembly for use with an explosion vent having a pressure relief panel surrounded by a peripheral flange with a slit partially separating the relief panel from the peripheral flange, the rupture tab assembly including: a body section for connection to at least one of the relief panel and the peripheral flange;   a breakaway section for connection to at least one of the relief panel and the peripheral flange and being generally on an opposite side of the slit from the body section; and   a narrow connector filament joining the body section to the breakaway section and being designed to break when the explosion vent is subjected to a pressure buildup of predetermined magnitude.   
     
     
       24. The rupture tab assembly as set forth in claim 23, wherein: the body section comprises a generally triangular body for connection to the relief panel,   the breakaway section comprises a circular breakaway section for connection to the peripheral flange,   the body section, breakaway section, and connector filament are integrally formed, and   the connector filament comprises a width in the range of approximately 4×10 -2  in. to approximately 1×10 -1  in.   
     
     
       25. The rupture tab assembly as set forth in claim 23, further comprising a trapezoidal shaped support tab for connection to and over the body section. 
     
     
       26. The rupture tab assembly as set forth in claim 23, wherein the body section comprises a plurality of fastener holes for receiving fasteners for connection of the body section to the explosion vent, and at least one hole being positioned over the slit of the explosion vent. 
     
     
       27. The rupture tab assembly as set forth in claim 26, wherein two fastener holes are located over the slit in the explosion vent and another fastener hole is spaced apart from the slit. 
     
     
       28. The rupture tab assembly as set forth in claim 23, wherein the body section is connected to the relief panel and the slit, and the breakaway section is connected to the peripheral flange. 
     
     
       29. The rupture tab assembly as set forth in claim 23, wherein the body section, the breakaway section, and the connector filament are oriented in a direction nearly the same as a bursting direction of the relief panel.